Committee debates bill to let sustainable‑agriculture BAs qualify for agronomist license

The Commission on Agriculture of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico heard competing views on a proposal to change licensure requirements for agronomists during a public hearing (date not specified).

The bill under review, H.B. 361, would amend Article 5 of Law No. 20 (April 9, 1941) to allow graduates holding a bachelor of arts in sustainable agriculture from accredited institutions to obtain licensure, provided the degree includes at least 40 credits in formal sustainable‑agriculture coursework and at least eight credits each in biology and chemistry; the bill also permits candidates with such a bachelor's degree to qualify if they hold a subsequent master's or doctoral degree in agricultural sciences. That language was read into the record by Subsecretary Irvin Rodríguez on behalf of the Department of Agriculture.

Why it matters: Licensing criteria determine which graduates may legally call themselves agronomists and advise farmers on production, pest control and soil and crop management. Supporters say the…